My father, during the Jiajing era, ensured that every household was clean and tidy.

Money makes the world go round, and the scalpers were incredibly efficient. They hired someone to carry Grandpa Hai over in a sedan chair. However, Hai Rui and Grandpa Hai, who were half-pushed and half-tricked into being carried over, were a little annoyed.

"Which close friend wants to see me?"

"How could I not know!"

Hai Rui, courtesy name Ruxian, was from Qiongzhou. He had slightly dark skin, was of medium build, spoke with a distinct southern accent, and dressed simply, even somewhat shabby, with loose threads and patches visible at the corners of his robe.

After being placed in the lobby of the restaurant, Hai Rui saw a young man in fine clothes scrutinizing him closely. He then realized that this was his beloved friend whom he had never met before.

He was initially somewhat displeased.

After only a few breaths, he quickly regained his composure, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, "If this young man is looking to befriend the newly appointed scholars, he has misjudged me. I am a failure in the examination."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zaizhen did not immediately respond. He continued to observe. If Zhang Juzheng was a man of principle and integrity, yet also possessing a refined and gentle nature, then from the moment Hai Rui stood there and opened his mouth, Zhu Zaizhen had a hunch that he was a straightforward and uncompromising man.

then.

ponder for a moment.

Zhu Zaizhen rose and returned the bow, gesturing to the seat opposite him, and said seriously, "May I sit down and have a cup of tea?"

Hai Rui frowned, but without thinking for long, he went straight forward and sat down, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Thank you," he said, then put down the teacup and looked directly at Zhu Zaizhen.

Zhu Zaizhen chuckled lightly, "Actually, I don't like drinking tea, but that's how things are in this world. When guests come, tea must be served, and when distinguished guests come, good tea must be served. Right now, we are drinking good tea."

"So I'm a distinguished guest?"

"Yes."

"I truly do not know which part of your person is valuable?"

"If I told you that I see you have extraordinary bone structure and noble spirit, would you believe me?"

"I don't believe it."

"What if I were to say, whether you believe it or not, that I value your spirit and wish to bestow wealth upon you, would you accept it?"

Hai Rui's gaze sharpened. "May I ask which distinguished person dares to speak in such a tone?"

Zhu Zaizhen calmly replied, "Prince Jing."

The private room was surrounded by guards, so the conversations inside could not be heard, and the actions inside could not be clearly seen by outsiders.

Upon hearing the words "Prince Jing," Hai Rui's sharp gaze suddenly froze. He paused for a moment, then stood up and respectfully bowed.

After the ceremony, they sat down again.

Hai Rui continued calmly and naturally, "The prince asked me if I wanted a life of wealth and honor. Given the prince's status, of course he could give it to me, but I don't want it."

Zhu Zaizhen seemed to have expected this answer, and there was no surprise on his face.

"Could you explain why?"

"I am not anyone's personal servant, nor will I be anyone's personal servant. If I were on the list today, or if the court were to summon me, I would have no objections. I would go even if it meant going through fire and water. But I cannot agree to anything else, not even if it is Prince Jing."

"presumptuous!"

Shen Dianzhang, who was guarding the side, stepped forward and shouted in a low voice.

Ignoring the guards' angry expression, Hai Rui stared straight at Prince Jing and said, "If Your Highness feels offended, you may punish me."

Zhu Zaizhen shook his head and remained silent.

By this point in the conversation, he had already made a judgment: Hai Rui and Hai Gangfeng were both men whose names reflected their fierce and sharp nature. Such men were not suitable to be anyone's personal companions.

He's right.

He could only, and only wished to, be the private servant of the imperial court, the private servant of the Ming Dynasty, and the private servant of all the people of the world.

Hai Rui is very famous and a prominent figure in history. Zhu Zaizhen was deeply impressed by him, but unfortunately, he was not suitable for him.

A decision has been made.

Zhu Zaizhen stood up to take his leave, but before leaving, he took off a jade pendant from his waist and placed it on the table. "This is not a personal gift to you, but a token from me. If one day, someone who works for the people of the world suffers a terrible accident and comes to me with this pendant... consider it an act of helping the people of the world."

After saying this, Zhu Zaizhen turned and left, leaving Hai Rui alone, sitting there in a daze, speechless for a long time.

When he came to his senses.

The young prince was no longer nearby; only a piece of warm, white jade lay quietly before him…

Outside the restaurant.

As Prince Jing stepped onto the street, he brandished his folding fan, revealing his playboy nature once again. Looking around, Shen Dianzhang behind him hesitated, then finally spoke: "Your Highness, Zhang Juzheng is a Hanlin scholar; it's one thing for him to be arrogant, but Hai Rui is merely a failed scholar. Why are you so lenient with him?"

Zhu Zaizhen curled his lip, "You don't understand, that Uncle Hai is a real big shot, he's incredibly capable."

Shen Dianzhang remained silent.

He was a rough man and didn't understand all the intricacies of the situation, but one by one, they all thought the prince was kind and easy to bully. If there was another one, don't blame him for complaining to the two masters in the prince's mansion and making them suffer the consequences!

Zhu Zaizhen had no idea what his subordinates were thinking. At that moment, he was also feeling quite emotional, thinking how difficult things were.

The talent we're looking for can't be found.

The talent we find, we don't give them to us.

Why is it so difficult?

What a coincidence! Just as Prince Jing had this thought, some "talents" that he might not really want stumbled upon him!

Just as Zhu Zaizhen and his party were walking through a small alley, a group of men suddenly rushed out of the alley. They were all agile and had sharp eyes.

"What's wrong?"

Upon seeing the visitor, Zhu Zaizhen asked.

He recognized the group of people; they were the Imperial Guards who had been following him from afar, protecting him in secret. Not long ago, they had introduced themselves to him, saying they came from the Eastern Division of the Imperial Guards.

They used to just keep their distance, but today they showed up for the first time, looking as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

"Your Highness!"

The leader said in a deep voice, "A brother has reported that some petty thieves have appeared nearby. It would be best to return to the Prince's Mansion for now."

Zhu Zaizhen frowned, then followed the other man. In the capital, right under the emperor's nose, even the Imperial Guards advised him, a prince of the Ming Dynasty, to flee. Any hesitation from Zhu Zaizhen would be irresponsible towards his own life.

but.

After boarding the carriage they brought, Zhu Zaizhen still asked, "Who is this person?"

Outside the carriage, a man announced, "The White Lotus Sect."

White Lotus Sect?

Upon hearing these three words, Zhu Zaizhen felt not a sudden tightness in his chest, but rather a sense of absurdity. The White Lotus Sect, a group that was always portrayed as rebels in every novel and play?

Sensing Prince Jing's attitude, the Imperial Guards outside the carriage, fearing the prince would blame them for making a fuss, said solemnly, "Your Highness may not know, but the White Lotus Sect is ubiquitous and has caused many disturbances. They have colluded with foreign countries, spied on military intelligence, and even plotted rebellion. However, the Imperial Guards have always kept it under wraps, so it is unknown to outsiders."

Oh?

Zhu Zaizhen was greatly encouraged.